Northern Illinois Team Profile
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Northern Illinois Huskies (@NIU_Football)
Thomas Hammock (8th year) (35-47) #113
Record: 0 - 0 (0 - 0)  |  Proj: 0 - 12 (#72)  |  SOS: (#75)
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Northern Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northern Illinois at Iowa+35
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northern Illinois at Arizona+28

Record Prediction: 0 - 12  #72
Schedule Rating:  #75
Future 2027 Schedule

Northern Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Northern Illinois vs Holy Cross-13.548.5W 19 - 17UN
Fri 9/5 Northern Illinois at Maryland+17.044.5L 9 - 20UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Northern Illinois at Mississippi State+23.548.5L 10 - 38UN
Sat 9/27 Northern Illinois vs San Diego State+1.541.5L 3 - 6UN
Sat 10/4 Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH)+4.538.5L 14 - 25ON
Sat 10/11 Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan-1.548.5L 10 - 16UN
Sat 10/18 Northern Illinois at Ohio+10.541.5L 21 - 48ON
Sat 10/25 Northern Illinois vs Ball State-6.541.5W 21 - 7UY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Northern Illinois at Toledo+14.542.5L 3 - 42ON
Wed 11/12 Northern Illinois at Massachusetts-8.543.5W 45 - 3OY
Tue 11/18 Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan+7.039.5L 19 - 35ON
Fri 11/28 Northern Illinois vs Kent State-5.045.0L 31 - 35ON

2025 Schedule Rating:  #111
2025 Record: 3 - 9 (MWC: 2 - 6)
Spread Record 3 - 9 - 0 | O/U 6 - 6


Opponents: Elite, Good, Avg, Bad, Poor
Reg Season Opponents: 0 Elite, 1 Good, 3 Avg, 2 Bad, 5 Poor

Show Past Schedules
2026 class: 178 points   #76
2025 class: 164 points   #84
2024 class: 150 points   #98
2023 class: 131 points   #100
2022 class: 142 points   #87

Average Class Ranking:   #89
Average Recruiting Points: 153

Four Year Crootin Profile
Consistent Average G5
4 Year Class:  #86 - Best:  #76 Worst:  #100



CFB Crootin Averages
Mountain West Class: 159  #98
Group of 5 Class: 153  #99
FBS Class: 188  #69


2021 class: 143 points   #91
2020 class: 150 points   #91
2019 class: 134 points   #108
2018 class: 142 points   #93
2017 class: 123 points   #97

Average Class Ranking:   #96
Average Recruiting Points: 138
 
Transfer Portal Classes
2026 Portal Class  #98 - 8 players, 84 Avg
2025 Portal Class  #124 - 13 players, 83 Avg
2024 Portal Class  #114 - 7 players, 84 Avg
2023 Portal Class  #110 - 4 players, 0 Avg
Transfer Portal Classes
Transfer Portal Classes
2022 Portal Class  #156 - 3 players, 80 Avg
2021 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
Offensive Coordinator Quinn Sanders (in his first season) #67
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Josh Holst7813060%689435.3
Brady Davidson408746%384334.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Chavon Wright19687554.545
Telly Johnson Jr.12469045.680
Jalen Macon4521654.836
Lazaro Rogers3318915.776
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Gary Givens III12145112.131
Rickey Taylor Jr.9134114.941
Telly Johnson Jr.169706.117
Elijah Porter167167.067
(Tr) - new transfer in 2026

Defensive Coordinator Rob Harley (in his first season) #129
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mark Hensley315110
Donte Harrison302005
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
James Finley150002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
Mark Hensley315110
Ross Pedro30000
Ryan Williams10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Donte Harrison302005
Dev'ion Reynolds130003
James Finley150002
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 42%  #113
Offense Returning Production: 58%  #45
Defense Returning Production: 25%  #131

Transfer Portal
2026 Portal Class  #98
8 Commits, 83.7 Avg Rating
3% of 2026 Roster from Portal, 3% TY
Team Talent
2026 Talent Rating: 544.00  #101
Offense Talent  #94 | Defense Talent  #102
2025  #113 | 2024  #91 | 2023  #120 | 2022  #110


2026 - 2023 Records
2026 Record: 0 - 0
2026 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0

2025 Record: 3 - 9
2025 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Spread: 3 - 9 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 6

2024 Record: 8 - 5
2024 Conf Record: 4 - 4
Spread: 5 - 6 - 2 | Totals: 7 - 6

2023 Record: 7 - 6
2023 Conf Record: 5 - 3
Spread: 6 - 7 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

Four Year Record: 18 - 20
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 14 - 22 - 2
Four Year Conference Record: 11 - 13
2022 - 2019 Records
2022 Record: 3 - 9
2022 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Spread: 4 - 8 - 0 | Totals: 9 - 3

2021 Record: 9 - 5
2021 Conf Record: 7 - 2
Spread: 9 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 8 - 6

2020 Record: 0 - 6
2020 Conf Record: 0 - 6
Spread: 2 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 3 - 3

2019 Record: 5 - 7
2019 Conf Record: 4 - 4
Spread: 7 - 5 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 5

Eight Year Record: 35 - 47
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 36 - 43 - 3
Eight Year Conference Record: 29 - 31

Northern Illinois Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2024Potato Bowl Northern Illinois vs Fresno State-2.041.0W 28 - 20
2023Camellia Bowl Northern Illinois vs Arkansas State+2.554.0W 21 - 19
2021Cure Bowl Northern Illinois vs Coastal Carolina+11.063.0L 41 - 47
2018Raton Bowl Northern Illinois vs UAB+1.041.5L 13 - 37
2017Lane Bowl Northern Illinois vs Duke+4.548.0L 14 - 36
Power Ranking Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2025.04 (126)1.26 (57)34% (132)3.04 (121)27.3 (118)32%59%.19 (86)1.2 (40)44% (100)3.45 (49)31.4 (122)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2024.16 (86)1.23 (96)42% (79)3.39 (113)30.4 (37)42%45%.06 (11)1.2 (37)38% (19)3.08 (12)30.4 (108)



More Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20251229:131532%59%4.3380.91.13.31.21
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20241333:2021.542%45%4.242.81.21.15.42.51



Overall Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2025 Offense1217.117.816.334.5% (132)3.04 (121)0.915284186994.565% (6)34% (131)38% (116)28% (136)13% (29).04 (126)
2025 Defense1224.320.827.844.1% (100)3.45 (49)1.1 - - - - - 58% (132)40% (5)46% (111)41% (65)11% (132).19 (86)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2024 Offense1324.527.820.742.1% (79)3.39 (113)1.2213832041794.859% (11)41% (124)44% (72)40% (86)15% (44).16 (86)
2024 Defense1318.517.219.737.7% (19)3.08 (12)1.1 - - - - - 49% (44)51% (93)41% (52)35% (9)17% (48).06 (11)



Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2025 Offense1265% (6)38% (116)41.4185.64.516 (122).11 (73)2.84 (84)69% (85)10% (87)1.11 (15)
2025 Defense1258% (132)46% (111) - - - - .17 (107)3.18 (117)72% (78)7% (134)0.95 (62)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2024 Offense1359% (11)44% (72)42.8204.24.822 (55).14 (66)3.25 (33)72% (83)9% (60)1 (54)
2024 Defense1349% (44)41% (52) - - - - .08 (45)3.06 (79)74% (73)11% (53)0.9 (33)



Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2025 Offense1234% (131)28% (136)10.820.398.84.99.28 (128)6 (60) (134)1.6 (32)34% (116)23% (132).13 (127)3% (4)2.1 (46)
2025 Defense1240% (5)41% (65) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (45)1.5 (55)28% (120)36% (130).5 (134)5% (114)2.1 (108)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2024 Offense1341% (124)40% (86)16.528.5179.16.310.816 (87)8 (40).23 (84)1.6 (58)31% (68)30% (89).17 (117)5% (39)1.9 (116)
2024 Defense1351% (93)35% (9) - - - - - - 9 (76).04 (4)1.5 (55)36% (15)25% (10).18 (16)7% (37)2 (67)




Team Notes


Injury Notes


Staff/Schedule Notes

 
Overall
Power Rating #129 | SP+ Rating #128
Offense #125 | Defense #118
Coaching staff is #121 in CFB
Net Efficiency #103 Off #129 Def #61
Scoring: 17.1 - 24.3 | Scoring Margin: (-7.2)
One Score Games '25: 1-3 (19-26 under T.H.)
Record Predition Coming Soon

5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

Returning Prod
'25 QB Josh Holst returns (New OC)
Returning Starters: 9 (Off: 7) - (Def: 2)
Proj Portal Starters: 0 (Off: 0) - (Def: 0)
Exp'd Depth: 7 (Off: 4) - (Def: 3)
Returning Production: 42% #113
Offense: 58% #45 | Defense: 25% #131
OL Prod: 47% #74, 1 starters, 1 exp'd depth
OL Snaps: 1385 #117 | From Portal: 0 #112
Rush Prod: 97% #23 | Rec Prod: 49% #79
Front Seven: 21% #133- Secondary: 30% #119

Roster
Team Talent #101 Blue Chips: 0% #100
Offense Talent #94 Defense Talent #102
Portal Class #98 - 8 players, 84 Avg
Crootin: '26 Class #76 - 4 YR Class: #86
Talent: Consistent Average G5
3% of Roster from Portal, 3% TY
26 New Players, 30% of '26 Roster #20
OC: Quinn Sanders #67 - in his first season
DC: Rob Harley #129 - in his first season


2026 Schedule
Vegas Win Total Not Available Yet
Schedule Rating: 0.00 #75
Opps: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
2025 Record: 3 - 9 (3 - 9 - 0) (MWC: 2 - 6)
2024 Record: 8 - 5 (5 - 6 - 2) (MWC: 4 - 4)
4 Yr Record: (18 - 20) | 8 Yr Record: (35 - 47)

Notes

Roster Data
16 players have played Starter level snaps
Starting Rotation Exp: 11 on Off, 5 on Def
Senior/Gr starters: 1 (4.5%) (Off: 1, Def: 0)
Upperclass Starters Back: 6 of 22 (27.3%)
Upperclass Two-Deep Back: 9 of 44 (20.5%)
Upperclass on Roster: 32.4%(36 of 111)


 
Top '26 Portal Adds
Avery Jones (S) – 3★ - Rating: .84
Mathias Davis (EDGE) – 3★ - Rating: .80
Mathias Smith-Davis (EDGE) – 0★ - Rating: .00


Top Players on Roster
(C) Landon Hron - B+ Block Grade
(RB) Chavon Wright - 875 Yds, 5 TD
(CB) Donte Harrison - 1 Int, 5 Pd
(DT) Mark Hensley - 31 Tac, 5 TFL
(T) Ross Liegel - B+ Block Grade
(DE) Jay'shon Thomas - 19 Tac, 3 TFL
(RB) Telly Johnson Jr. - 690 Yds, 4 TD
(QB) Josh Holst - 689 Yds, 4 TD

Top '26 Incoming Recruits
Deacon King (S) – 3★ (.86) IN
Bryshawn Brown (QB) – 3★ (.86) OH
Ross Ogden (LB) – 3★ (.86) IN
Jack Murray (LB) – 3★ (.86) WI
Troy Garner (S) – 3★ (.86) IL
Champ Smith (S) – 3★ (.85) FL
Jaiduan Cranford (RB) – 3★ (.85) IL
Brendan Grabot (IOL) – 3★ (.85) WI

 
4 Year Overall
2026 SP+ Overall:  #128 - Power Rating:  #129
2025 SP+ Overall:  #128 - Power Rating:  #131
2024 SP+ Overall:  #84 - Power Rating:  #73
2023 SP+ Overall:  #85

#85 #79 #130 #129

4 Year Offense
2026 SP+ Offense:  #135 - Power Rating:  #125
2025 SP+ Offense:  #135 - Power Rating:  #131
2024 SP+ Offense:  #115 - Power Rating:  #97
2023 SP+ Offense:  #109

#109 #106 #133 #130

4 Year Defense
2026 SP+ Defense:  #74 - Power Rating:  #118
2025 SP+ Defense:  #74 - Power Rating:  #122
2024 SP+ Defense:  #32 - Power Rating:  #11
2023 SP+ Defense:  #47

#47 #22 #98 #96